Amerika: The Missing Person

Karl awakens to see Robinson running around the apartment in a frenzy, grabbing supplies and handing them to Delamarche—who is bathing Brunelda. Brunelda calls Robinson, and Karl asks him why he does not go to her. Robinson tells him that he once went in while she was bathing, and she and Delamarche “nearly drowned” him (185). Karl attempts to clean the room and is berated by Brunelda and Delamarche for his “bloody industriousness” (186). Brunelda asks for her perfume, and Karl searches for it to no avail. Afterward, Delamarche sends Karl and Robinson to procure breakfast. They find a familiar woman, and she is annoyed that they are requesting breakfast in the evening. Robinson tells Karl that they rent from her and must do whatever she says.

Karl observes the unseemly state of the rent-woman’s kitchen, filled with dirty dishes and smoke that causes her to cough incessantly. He and Robinson listen to the woman complain. Eventually, she tells them that they are not getting breakfast no matter how long they wait. Karl demands food and says they will gather their own breakfast from leftovers. He puts together a decent breakfast, though Robinson tells him making the meal look presentable is a waste of time.